"
"I understand that, Squire, and have already decided to compensate
him," said the Judge. "But what I can offer will not be enough."
"How much can you offer?"
"Not over a hundred dollars for the first year."
"Call it two hundred, Judge," was the ready answer.
The two men looked for a moment into each other's faces.
"His father and I were friends from boyhood," said Squire Floyd. "He
was a warm-hearted man; but always making mistakes. He would have
ruined me two or three times over, if I had been weak enough to
enter into his plans, or to yield to his importunities in the way of
risks and securities. It often went hard for me to refuse him; but
duty to those dependent on me was stronger than friendship. But I
can spare a hundred dollars for his son, and will do it cheerfully.
Only, I must not be known in the matter; for it would lay on Henry's
mind a weight of obligation, not pleasant for one of his sensitive
disposition to bear."
"I see, Squire," answered Judge Bigelow to this; "but then it won't
place me in the right position. I shall receive credit for your
benevolence.
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